Comparison

Soil Explorer vs Field3Dnotes

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Soil Explorer

Discover detailed soil property and landscape maps for U.S. states and global soil distributions. Understand how map features relate to real-world observations. This educational tool uses data from USDA and USGS to illustrate complex soil-landscape relationships.

Highlights
  • Detailed soil property maps
  • Landscape visualizations
  • Global soil distribution maps
  • Field observation correlation
  • USDA NRCS data integration
  • USGS data integration
Features
Read full description

Explore detailed maps of soil properties and landscapes for various U.S. states, as well as small-scale maps of soil distributions for the world. Examine the details for a specific area, but also see the overview for a large area. Learn how features shown on the maps correspond to what you observe in the field. Soil Explorer utilizes detailed soil survey data from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and data and maps from the U. S. Geological Survey and other sources to produce informative, highly engaging maps. These maps are designed to show the complex interrelationships between soil properties and the landscapes in which soils occur.

About

Field3Dnotes

Read full description

Field3Dnotes is a professional application for digital 3D geological mapping, structural data acquisition, and real-time field analysis on iPad and iPhone. Engineered for geologists, researchers, and field geoscientists, Field3Dnotes brings high-resolution 3D models directly into the field, enabling touch digitizing and orientation measurements using integrated iOS sensors, even when completely offline. Key Features: 3D Model Management: Import, display, and inspect high-resolution 3D tiles and photogrammetric models with smooth rendering performance in remote field environments. Real-Time Structural Measurements: Measure strikes, dips, lineations, and planar features directly using built-in device sensors or touch digitizing on 3D surfaces. Geolocation & "Follow Me" Mode: Track your real-time field position superimposed on 3D terrain models using built-in GNSS positioning. Digital Mapping Tools: Digitize geological contacts, faults, and structural features directly onto 3D geometries with sub-metric precision. Multimedia Field Notes: Georeference photos, audio notes, and text records linked directly to 3D spatial coordinates. 100% Offline Workflow: Complete field independence with full offline dataset support; no cellular or internet connection required in the field. Designed for structural geology, engineering geology, mineral exploration, and academic research.

Screenshots

Soil Explorer4 screens
Field3Dnotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Field3Dnotes at every 6 weeks against Soil Explorer's every 11 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Soil Explorer ships an update every 11 months, Field3Dnotes every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Soil Explorer versus Field3Dnotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoil ExplorerField3Dnotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.7 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size172 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPurdue UniversityStefano Tavani

In-app purchases

None

Soil Explorer

No in-app purchases

None

Field3Dnotes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Soil Explorer free?
Soil Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Field3Dnotes free?
Field3Dnotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Soil Explorer or Field3Dnotes have ads?
Neither Soil Explorer nor Field3Dnotes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Soil Explorer or Field3Dnotes?
Soil Explorer ships an update every 11 months, and Field3Dnotes every 6 weeks. Most recently, Soil Explorer was updated on November 3, 2026 and Field3Dnotes on October 31, 2026.

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